Building Briefs - December 15th

• Glasgow homeowner receives new fire safety certificate for building

Park Property Management and Nixon surveyors collaborated to devise a two-stage certification inspection for homeowners providing an innovative approach to paving the way forward to tackle the certification process.

Already a legal requirement in England, lenders are now insisting on the certification in Scotland although legislation remains pending.

As part of the EWS1 process an entire building needs to be considered for fire risk. It is not possible to pass a flat for fire safety if other parts of the building are not compliant.

The system created by Park Property Management assesses the whole building first, allowing follow up individual property assessments to be carried out.

Joan McFarlane who lives in an apartment in Minerva Way in Glasgow city centre received her certificate from Paul McDermott of Park Property Management.

The process requires an inspection by a qualified surveyor. The report covers a building’s wall systems, its installation, render, cladding and materials, as well as balconies, to ensure they are all fire safe. The certificate is valid for five years and is the responsibility of the seller of an apartment to arrange.

• Cambus O May suspension bridge repairs to continue into the start of the New Year

Repair work to the Cambus O May suspension bridge will continue into the first couple of weeks of the New Year.

The Edwardian structure over the River Dee was severely damaged by the floods during Storm Frank at the end of 2015.

It forms part of the Cairngorms National Park’s Core Path network and has always been a popular spot for locals and visitors as it crosses the river at such an eye-catching location.

For the meantime, the public is again being urged to avoid this stretch of the river to allow the works to be completed safely.

The bridge was built in 1905 and was a gift to the public from Alexander Gordon some ten years after his death, along with the Polhollick Bridge and several other buildings in Ballater.

It is a Grade B listed structure, which had to be re-built in 1988 for safety purposes and was then re-opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

• Long-term strategy to be established for Culloden Academy redevelopment

Work is underway on preparing a masterplan that will establish a long-term strategy for the redevelopment of Culloden Academy’s campus. In May 2018, the Council approved a £7.5m extension/refurbishment for the school as a part of the Highland Council’s five-year capital programme.

Construction on the initial phases of work will commence on site in 2021 with the opening of the new extension planned for 2023.

The work currently being undertaken will establish how the Phase 1 budget will be allocated between the main elements of the first phase; the demolition of the vacant houses; a new synthetic playing field, pavilion and car parking on the additional land; an extension block mainly comprising new practical classrooms; and the refurbishment of the vacated accommodation in the existing main building.

An update will be included in a report to a meeting of the Highland Council this week (17 December). A further update will be provided in January 2021 to the school’s Parent Council, along with a proposal to set up a Stakeholder Group to ensure effective communications going forward.

• New film celebrates Campbeltown transformation

A new film has been launched to celebrate the transformation of Campbeltown, following an investment of £13 million that has significantly improved the appearance and vibrancy of the town.

The Campbeltown Regeneration project is shortlisted for the 2020 SURF Awards for ‘Scotland’s most improved place’

Argyll and Bute Council has produced the film as part of the judging process for the awards.

The 2020 SURF Award winners will be announced in February 2021 at a virtual Awards Dinner.